ON a significant day in the autumnal calendar, the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Ripon came to life as deer roamed through its low-lying mist.

Last night we waved goodbye to summer, as the sun passed directly over the equator – giving almost equal hours of daylight and darkness.

This is known as the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere.

There are two equinoxes every year – the other around the same date in March.

In the southern hemisphere the seasons are flipped, and the September equinox marks the start of spring.

From today, the days will get shorter and the nights will get longer until the winter solstice on December 21, when the pattern will reverse.

The grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal captivate visitors all year round with a medieval deer park.

The world heritage site, which has an area of 800 acres, features abbey ruins, a Georgian water garden an Elizabethan hall and a gothic church.

On six nights during autumn the tourist attraction will illuminate the ruins of Fountains Abbey and visitors can explore the site.

The tearoom will be open late for visitors to warm up with food and drinks and a choir will perform.

This event will take place on five consecutive Saturday’s starting this week, as well as Friday, October 27.

Booking is not needed.